Thursday, May 14, 2009

My very tiny downstairs powder room isn't completely done yet, I still want to hang a chandelier and have been looking at some great Kichler lighting to put in there to replace a globe ceiling light but I thought I would share what I've done so far.

Since this is just an apartment I'm limited with what I can do. If it were my own place I would have put beadboard around the bottom of the walls and painted it white and painted the blue above it.

I didn't like the plain cabinet doors so I made a skirt to cover them and used Velcro to attach it. The skirt was made from a white sheet and I attached ribbon to it with the iron on hemming tape.

The curtain which was just a couple dollars came from a thrift store. It's a "Simply Shabby Chic" originally from Target. It's so sheer and pretty and lets a lot of light in the bathroom. I would love to get some small shutters for the bottom half of the window to hide the ugly aluminum window frame. I swore I'd never live in a place the was built in the 60 or 70s with popcorn ceilings and aluminum window frames but here I am trying to make the best of it!

I was looking for something else to hang on the wall and I found the perfect piece at Marshalls. I love this shell made with blue glass mosaic.

Below is the piece I showed you awhile back that I made. I used an old frame I already had and some old vintage linens and just hot glued the starfish to it. Since I had everything on hand it didn't cost a thing!

Here are some photos of what it looked like before this easy makeover. I didn't get a picture of it with the original mirror in it though. It was one of those big flat frameless mirrors that are attached with clear plastic holders. I found this mirror at the thrift store for $17, it still had the "Bed, Bath and Beyond" price tag on it and was originally $99. I painted it white...of course! You can see the ugly ceiling light below that I want to replace with a pretty petite chandelier that will reflect in the mirror.

It's amazing how much of a difference paint and a few other accessories can make!
I put this on Rate My Space! Click here to rate it.
Update: The paint is Behr Paint (from Home Depot) in "Bleached Denim"

Cindy, Your powder room is lovely. As usual, you've done a great job. Just one question though. Why do we get 'pop-ups' when we log onto your blog? I've never had this happen on any other blogs and, truthfully, it's quite annoying. Just thought I'd mention it. Sue

Boy, the skirt made a big difference! The powder room looks great! I think shutters is a wonderful idea. I had to live in one of those same 60's apartments, but I couldn't paint! It really challenged my decorating chops thats for sure. It's kind of fun to find to make an ugly duckling into a swan, though.

WOW! What a difference! I was hoping you would be showing the bathroom in whole as best you could! (Thanks for the before pics, too!) I just love it!!!!! Did you decide to leave the little round circle at the top of the shelf blank? Or are you waiting to figure out what to put in it? Perhaps a vintage brooch glued to the spot would look good? Not that it needs anything anyway!!! Lovely! Does your landlord come and see what you do, or follow your blog?

I think you did a great job considering you rent. I want to show my bathroom, but I need to repaint the walls due a problem we had awhile back with the furnace. I know Cindy that if you had your own place things would be so different. I'm in the same position, but regardless everything still looks wonderful.

I'm a renter, too, and just wondered, when you move out will you replace the nice mirror with the original, and the chandelier with the dome light? I never know how much I should change since it seems it might create a lot of work putting everything back together if I ever move out. Thanks!

This project turned out great. It looks like a million bucks. The skirt around the sink was very creative and looks expensive and professionally done, especially with the 2 shades of ribbon trim--love that! So, so pretty...don't you just want to sit in there all the time now and admire it? I would! LOL.

What a beautiful transformation! Great job, you definitely know how to make the best of things. I especially like the sheet idea to hide the cabinets...why can't a bathroom have the coziness of a bedroom? :-)

Your rental bathroom (well, your whole apartment) is more beautiful than the house me and the bank own. You have given me inspiration and some things are coming together. P.S. I was looking for a beachy decor on the web - I saw something similar to your sea shell art - for $99.00. Keep on posting. Janet

Hi Cindy, what a fabulous job you have done! It is amazing how a fresh coat of paint and the right colour scheme can transform a room so easily. Have you ever thought of pursuing a career in interior decorating; I am not joking here. There are obviously a lot of people who love you style – might be something to think about.

OMGosh! Your powder room is amazing! That blue paint really makes the white acessories pop! Does this bathroom have a shower or tub? You really should look into interior decorating! If you didn't want to leave your current job, you could do it on the side. Make a portpolio with photos of your home and start showing it around. I bet the response would be excellent! I bet you would make tons of money!

Cindy,Your bathroom looks so refreshing, love the blue and white and all your fabulous touches, i.e. the pink roses in silver teapot, the white vintage-style towel on the sink. I hope you never get tired of hearing this, but you have an amazing talent for decorating. I still say, it'd be wonderful if you could have a decorating book published just of the photos and ideas from your blog! It would be a best seller!! I could look at your photos and decorating style all day long!! Thanks for sharing -your blog is wonderful!

Hi Cindy,I love your white and blue powder room! I also have a white and blue bathroom - our master bathroom. Once I get my blog up and running I will have to post pictures of it before and after. Your blog is my favorite one. I never get tired of looking at your rooms and love that you share so much with us. I hope you never get tired of inviting us into your beautiful home. By the way many of us have the tiny bathrooms too. My powder room is even smaller than yours! LOL!

Oooooh la la! What a beautiful transformation. And I will say it again, the wall color is just the most perfect shade of French blue I think I have seen. The way the white pops against it is delightful. Not only is the room wonderful, but I love the way you take the time to style the photos so we feel like we are looking at a magazine. Beautiful room and wonderful talent!~J~

Love the color blue you chose for the walls. Very soothing! We rent too, but luckily I've been able to improve on a few things without our landlord caring too much. I am sure your landlord appreciates all you do! Because they should!

That blue is great...our small bath has no natural light, and I found a very similar shade of blue and tried it out...little too dark. BUT I have Bleached Denim, white and IHaveNoIdeaWhatTheNameOfItIs blue...I'm going to mix and mingle and come up with a slightly lighter color...for now, hubby and son #2 are dealing with two shades of blue and a pale yellow/blue in that bathroom ;D Just til the weekend.